Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: Treasure Acquired, Wealth Revealed
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"Five thousand spirit stones?"
The man shook his head. It was true that five thousand spirit stones were equivalent to a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill and a Youth Retaining Pill, but such pills were hard to come by.
Although Thousand Mountains Market City was the second-largest market in the Tiannan Domain, Foundation Establishment Pills were rarely auctioned.
They only appeared once every ten years or so.
As for Youth Retaining Pills, although they were auctioned every five years, one still had to wait.
"Fellow Daoist, if you are truly sincere, then offer one Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, one Muscle Regenerating and Bone Mending Pill, plus three thousand spirit stones."
The man sent a voice transmission to Chen Jianghe.
"I don't have a Muscle Regenerating and Bone Mending Pill, but I do have a Mountain-Suppressing Bone Mending Pill and a Dew-Condensing Muscle Regenerating Pill. The combined effect of the two is no less than that of a Muscle Regenerating and Bone Mending Pill."
The other party had reduced the price by two thousand spirit stones in exchange for a Muscle Regenerating and Bone Mending Pill, which was a reasonable offer.
Chen Jianghe knew it was difficult to buy Foundation Establishment Pills and Youth Retaining Pills with spirit stones, but it was just as hard to buy healing elixirs.
"Deal," the man said with a nod.
After seeing the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice, Chen Jianghe took out three jade boxes, containing the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, the Mountain-Suppressing Bone Mending Pill, and the Dew-Condensing Muscle Regenerating Pill, respectively.
Then, he produced three thousand spirit stones.
He traded them for a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice.
Chen Jianghe swept his spiritual sense over the coarse cloth bag and immediately felt a chill run through his consciousness, followed by a bone-piercing cold. He quickly stored the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice in his storage pouch.
It was a fist-sized piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice.
It was enough for him to cultivate the forbidden art [Absolute Ice Seal] with some to spare. Of course, the excess ice source could also be used for some practice.
Just as Chen Jianghe was about to leave, he noticed that the man hadn't taken down his sign; it was still on display.
"He has more Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice?!"
Chen Jianghe froze, taking a deep breath as he began to speculate about the man's background.
Although he didn't frequent the market city, a cultivator's memory was excellent. Even if he had only seen someone from afar, he could recall their appearance with a bit of thought.
But this man, he had no impression of him whatsoever.
Judging by his attire of fine silks and jade, he was likely a disciple of an immortal clan, whose ancestor was probably a Core Formation expert.
Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice was a peak second-tier spiritual item.
It was precious but not scarce. The Arctic Snow Forest had plenty, but it was guarded by a third-tier demonic beast, the Frosty Triangle Python.
It was reasonable for this person to have multiple pieces of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice.
Anyone who had the chance to venture three thousand five hundred li deep into the Ancient Ice Caverns of the Arctic Snow Forest would surely not just dig up one piece and flee.
They would definitely do their best to excavate several pieces.
However, Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice was extremely hard; a top-tier offensive magical artifact couldn't even scratch it. At the very least, a Spirit-Nurturing grade magical artifact was required.
Even with a Spirit-Nurturing artifact, it would take a hundred breaths' time to mine a single piece.
Avoiding detection by the Frosty Triangle Python for a hundred breaths was indeed quite difficult.
Looking again at the treasures this person was trading for.
Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills, Foundation Establishment Pills, Youth Retaining Pills, and even Muscle Regenerating and Bone Mending Pills as substitutes.
These types of pills were all hard currency among Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"The Ancient Ice Caverns are occupied by the Frosty Triangle Python. If my demonic beast egg hatches and I raise it to the peak of the second tier, couldn't I send it deep into the caverns to obtain a large amount of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice for me?"
"And maybe even other natural treasures from the Arctic Snow Forest?"
Chen Jianghe thought to himself, feeling a surge of delight.
Watching cultivators leave the trading fair one after another while others had just arrived, Chen Jianghe, worried about missing out on treasures, decided to walk around one more time.
He currently had 10,941 spirit stones and twenty grains of spirit sand.
If he came across a suitable treasure, he still had the capital to trade for it.
"This is too slow."
Chen Jianghe wandered for another three hours, feeling that searching for the spiritual items he needed this way was too difficult. So, he took out a sign.
He wrote on it: "Trading an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill for materials to craft high-grade second-tier talismans, or a peak second-tier demonic beast hide."
As for why he wasn't asking for a late-stage second-tier demonic beast hide?
His Dragon Pattern Red Pine was about to advance to a high-grade second-tier spirit plant. When that happened, he would have no shortage of spirit plant hides for crafting mid-grade second-tier talismans.
Furthermore, the value of a late-stage second-tier demonic beast hide was not enough to match an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.
Measured in spirit stones, a complete late-stage second-tier demonic beast hide was truly worth around seven thousand spirit stones.
The value of an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill should be around fifteen thousand spirit stones.
As for a complete peak second-tier demonic beast hide, its value should be around twenty thousand spirit stones.
This was higher than an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, but Chen Jianghe could make up the difference with spirit stones.
Chen Jianghe sat cross-legged with his eyes closed to rest his mind, a sign placed in front of him.
Two hours passed.
Chen Jianghe had spoken with over a dozen cultivators, all of whom wanted to trade for the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, but none had the materials for crafting high-grade second-tier talismans.
Some wanted to trade directly with spirit stones.
One was willing to offer sixteen thousand spirit stones, but Chen Jianghe refused.
He didn't have many treasures he could trade, and the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill was the most valuable.
If he exchanged it for spirit stones, he wouldn't be able to buy a quasi-third-tier spirit plant hide or a peak second-tier demonic beast hide.
There were also those who wanted to trade a top-tier defensive magical artifact with Chen Jianghe.
And others who offered a Second-Revolution Spirit-Nourishing Pill.
Chen Jianghe did need the Second-Revolution Spirit-Nourishing Pill.
But what he lacked now were materials for crafting talismans, which were his means of survival for entering the secret realm.
Another hour passed.
A woman in a pink gauze dress walked over and stopped in front of Chen Jianghe, looking at his sign with great interest.
The woman was not tall, but she had a sweet appearance, a delicate baby face, and a stunning, curvaceous figure.
"Are you a Talisman Master, Fellow Daoist?"
The woman sent a voice transmission.
Chen Jianghe nodded slightly but said nothing more. He was here to trade for spiritual items, not to make friends.
As for the woman before him being sweet and having a superb figure.
He was no rookie who had just entered the cultivation world. He had seen many beautiful women; he was personally acquainted with four top-tier beauties.
"I have a complete peak second-tier demonic beast hide, but I don't want an Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill."
Hearing the baby-faced beauty's words, Chen Jianghe closed his eyes.
She didn't even want the Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill.
He had no other precious treasures he could offer.
And he wouldn't trade away any treasures that were too precious.
"How about I trade a complete peak second-tier demonic beast hide with you for a second-tier talisman legacy?"
"What grade?"
Chen Jianghe asked via voice transmission.
Trading for a talisman crafting legacy was somewhat surprising to him.
There were many second-tier Talisman Masters at the trading fair. If this woman wanted to trade a peak second-tier demonic beast hide for a talisman legacy.
Many Talisman Masters should be willing to make the trade.
Such a good deal was unlikely to fall into his lap.
"A high-grade second-tier escape talisman," the woman's sweet voice entered Chen Jianghe's ears.
Chen Jianghe remained silent upon hearing this.
He simply closed his eyes.
He possessed a high-grade second-tier escape talisman legacy, the Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman.
But he wasn't foolish enough to trade it.
High-grade second-tier escape talismans were incredibly precious; even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators would keep one as a trump card.
Not to mention the legacy for crafting one.
A peak second-tier demonic beast hide was valuable, but compared to a high-grade second-tier escape talisman legacy, it fell far short.
"A high-grade second-tier offensive talisman legacy, but it must have a special attribute."
Chen Jianghe laughed inwardly but didn't bother with this brainless, baby-faced fairy.
No wonder no one was trading with her. Asking for a high-grade second-tier talisman legacy was nothing short of an outrageous demand.
No one was a fool; who would be willing to make such a trade?
Every Talisman Grandmaster had their own specialty talismans, and they didn't possess many second-tier talisman legacies.
Only one or two, five at the most.
They wouldn't leak their own talisman legacies if the benefits weren't sufficient.
When it came to high-grade second-tier talisman legacies, they wouldn't even be willing to make an equivalent exchange.
"Two high-grade second-tier offensive talisman legacies."
Her demand lowered again, dropping the requirement for a special attribute.
But Chen Jianghe remained unmoved. He was tempted, but he didn't have any high-grade second-tier offensive talisman legacies.
As for the Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman legacy, he would never trade it.
Not even for two complete peak second-tier demonic beast hides.
This was a lightning-attribute, high-grade second-tier escape talisman. When used, it not only allowed for swift escape but also possessed defensive and offensive capabilities, making it a true trump card.
He didn't want his trump card to become commonplace.
"A mid-grade second-tier lightning-attribute escape talisman legacy. If you wish to trade, Fairy, you'll need to add another twenty thousand spirit stones."
"Deal."
The baby-faced fairy immediately agreed upon hearing Chen Jianghe's words.
A mid-grade second-tier lightning-attribute escape talisman legacy was not cheap; in fact, its value was extremely high. Basically, no Talisman Master would be willing to trade it away.
They would all be kept as family heirlooms.
As for rogue Talisman Masters, they might be willing to trade.
But that's only if they had one in the first place.
The reason Chen Jianghe had a lightning-attribute escape talisman legacy was because Ruan Tieniu had asked a favor of him, and also because Chen Jianghe was Ruan Tieniu's only channel to an Artifact Refining Grandmaster.
The Talisman Masters who truly possessed superior talisman legacies were all from major clans. For them, selling a legacy was tantamount to selling out their family's future interests.
Chen Jianghe had no intention of establishing a clan, so he wasn't concerned with such things.
He would keep the Violet Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman as a trump card.
The Rushing Thunder Talisman was no longer of much use to him.
Of course, once the Rushing Thunder Talisman was traded, nothing would seem to change in the short term, but a hundred years later, it would surely become a common high-level escape talisman.
Perhaps not every rogue cultivator could own one, but disciples of immortal clans would certainly be able to purchase it.
"I will need six hours to inscribe the legacy for you, Fairy," Chen Jianghe said calmly.
"Alright, I'll wait."
Chen Jianghe said no more. He took out a legacy jade slip and began inscribing the legacy of the mid-grade second-tier Rushing Thunder Talisman with his spiritual sense.
Six hours later.
Chen Jianghe finished inscribing the Rushing Thunder Talisman legacy and traded with the baby-faced fairy, receiving a complete peak second-tier demonic beast hide and twenty thousand spirit stones.
The transaction was complete.
Chen Jianghe wiped the writing from his sign, returned it to the trading platform, and then walked out of the trading fair.
He left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
"Am I being watched?"
"I traded away my Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill, which means I now have Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice and a complete peak second-tier demonic beast hide. That's quite a temptation for opportunistic cultivators."
Chen Jianghe sensed several gazes fixed on him.
To verify his suspicion, he first circled Thousand Mountains Market City before heading to the Spirit-Stealing Teahouse.
"Still following me?"
Chen Jianghe keenly sensed two gazes locked onto him.
Those were just the ones he could feel; there might be more hidden ones.
The value of the treasures he now carried was clear—at least over fifty thousand spirit stones.
He stayed at the Spirit-Stealing Teahouse for two hours, then returned to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion for an hour before leaving the market city again.
But he didn't fly far before turning back to the market city once more.
He just kept circling in and out of the market city.
Two days later, Chen Jianghe checked directly into the Thousand Mountains Inn, no longer bothering with the cultivators tailing him.
He had already wasted two days.
He would cultivate at the Thousand Mountains Inn for now.
A superior room cost fifteen spirit stones a month, an exorbitant price, but he couldn't afford to be stingy at a time like this.
Chen Jianghe paid for three months' rent upfront, forty-five spirit stones.
He now had 30,896 spirit stones and twenty grains of spirit sand remaining.
He wasn't afraid of ordinary opportunistic cultivators, but Thousand Mountains Market City was currently filled with many sect disciples and direct descendants of top-tier immortal clans.
This meant that powerful demonic cultivators and opportunistic cultivators had also begun to gather in Thousand Mountains Market City.
The Tiannan Sect allowed demonic cultivators to deal with sect disciples of the same cultivation level. Even if a sect disciple was killed, they wouldn't face direct retaliation from a Core Formation elder.
However, the contribution points for the killer's demon-slaying mission in the Tiannan Sect would be increased.
Therefore, the Tiannan Sect was also very cruel to its disciples, practicing survival of the fittest. Only the strong were worthy of being nurtured.
Chen Jianghe cast aside distracting thoughts, calmed his mind, and began cultivating by circulating the [Myriad Waters True Scripture] to absorb the spiritual energy from the Spirit Spring Pearl.
Ten hours later.
He took out the Soul-Solidifying Mud and Spirit-Nurturing Grass to cultivate the [Soul Sea Origin-Solidifying Scripture].
Another four hours passed.
Chen Jianghe then took out the complete peak second-tier demonic beast hide. It seemed to be the pelt of a spirit fox-type demonic beast.
He first used his Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword to cut the fur from the chest area, then divided it into three pieces of high-grade second-tier talisman spirit hide.
Next, he cut off the parts from under the arms and the abdomen, dividing them into ten pieces of mid-grade second-tier talisman spirit hide.
As for the fur from other parts, it couldn't be used to craft second-tier talismans.
But it could be used for refining magical artifacts or other purposes.
Among the hundred arts of cultivation, there was always a use for it.
Chen Jianghe carefully stored them away. Selling them at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in the future would fetch another handsome sum of spirit stones.
With the mid-grade second-tier talisman spirit hides in hand.
Chen Jianghe naturally began crafting the Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman.
This was a fire-attribute, mid-grade second-tier offensive talisman. Relatively speaking, it was simpler to craft.
Chen Jianghe's talisman crafting skills were exquisite, but since it was his first time crafting a mid-grade second-tier talisman, he still needed to be cautious.
He proceeded slowly, familiarizing himself with the process first.
Time flew by, and two months passed.
Chen Jianghe successfully crafted a Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman. During the process, drawing the runes was easy enough.
But charging it with spiritual energy was extremely slow.
This was because the Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman contained a powerful magical attack equivalent to that of a peak mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Its power was immense, so naturally, it required more spiritual energy to activate the power of the runes.
He could now craft a low-grade second-tier Raging Flame Cloud-Soaring Talisman in about a month.
But the time needed to craft a Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman was double that.
It wasn't that his magical power was insufficient.
Rather, his mental strength was lacking, preventing him from continuously charging it with spiritual energy.
Therefore, in terms of talisman value, it was definitely more profitable to craft Raging Flame Cloud-Soaring Talismans.
A single Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman was only worth two thousand spirit stones.
A Raging Flame Cloud-Soaring Talisman was worth fourteen hundred spirit stones, so two would be twenty-eight hundred.
However, crafting a mid-grade second-tier talisman with his early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he had to accept this situation.
Besides, mid-grade second-tier talismans were rarely traded for spirit stones; they were more often used to barter for other treasures.
Chen Jianghe was now crafting the Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman, and next, the Green Wood Immortal Shield Talisman. As long as he wasn't desperate for spirit stones, he wouldn't sell them.
There were still ten years until he entered the secret realm.
He needed to be fully prepared. These talismans were his means of survival.
"I've cultivated the twenty-seventh drop of magical power. I can now be certain that I'll reach the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage in less than three years."
Chen Jianghe looked inward with his spiritual sense, observing the drop of magical power condensed in his Dantian, its aura thick and powerful.
Then, Chen Jianghe began cultivating again.
He had paid for three months' rent at the Thousand Mountains Inn. Two months had passed, leaving one more.
He wondered if those opportunistic cultivators outside had left.
Chen Jianghe was in no hurry to return to Golden Ao Mountain. With Xiao Hei managing the spirit fields, it made no difference whether he was there or not.
"It's already May. Xiao Hei and Maoqiu should be leading the mountain monkeys to harvest the Immortal Crystal Rice by now, right?"
Chen Jianghe stopped thinking about matters at home.
He continued to cultivate the [Myriad Waters True Scripture]. After ten hours, he switched to the [Soul Sea Origin-Solidifying Scripture], and then began crafting talismans.
This time, Chen Jianghe was still crafting the Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman.
Offensive talismans, defensive talismans, and escape talismans.
For the secret realm trial, all these talismans were indispensable.
At this moment, he couldn't think about the value of the talismans, but rather their usefulness to him.
Defensive and escape talismans were for survival and were essential.
But offensive talismans were also necessary.
Purely defending and fleeing was an inferior strategy.
A balance of offense and defense, advancing and retreating freely—that was the proper way.
If things truly became impossible, then one could talk about a strategic retreat.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
The twenty-eighth drop of magical power had already condensed in Chen Jianghe's Dantian, a testament to the power of absorbing natural treasures.
Yun Bufan, the Qilin Son of Mirror Moon Lake, had cultivated for fifty years and had only managed to condense forty drops of magical power.
Chen Jianghe had only obtained the Spirit Spring Pearl three years ago, yet he had already cultivated over twenty drops of magical power.
In two and a half years at the latest, he would surely surpass Yun Bufan and reach the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
In truth, even if Yun Bufan left Mirror Moon Lake, he was just a rogue cultivator. He possessed innate talent but lacked the corresponding resources.
Yun Bufan's best option would have been to join the Tiannan Sect, but it was too late for that now.
The next moment, Chen Jianghe formed a water mirror and used a folding technique to extend his spiritual sense, checking its limits.
"One hundred ninety-six zhang and one chi."
"The expansion of my soul sea is also nearing its limit. I'll soon be able to cultivate the fifth level of the [Soul Sea Origin-Solidifying Scripture] and build the soul sea barrier."
Chen Jianghe felt a surge of joy.
His soul was different from ordinary people, so his realm couldn't be measured by conventional standards. Even if his spiritual sense reached two hundred zhang, his mental cultivation wouldn't reach the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.
He would need to reach at least two hundred twenty, or even two hundred thirty zhang.
Besides his longevity, this was the only talent that could be considered a cheat. However, Chen Jianghe didn't know the specific uses or talents that came with his unusual soul.
The Dao of Alchemy had some requirements for the soul, but they weren't high.
Therefore, it couldn't test Chen Jianghe's true talent. As for the Dao of Formations, with his current connections and status, he had no way of coming into contact with it.
Another ten hours passed.
Chen Jianghe put away the half-finished Flame Dragon Demon-Breaking Talisman, then walked out of the Thousand Mountains Inn and first took a stroll around the market city.
After confirming he no longer felt that heart-pounding sensation of being watched.
He flew out of the market city.
But not in the direction of Golden Ao Mountain, but toward the State of Yu.
As he neared the State of Yu, he suddenly changed direction and flew toward the boundless sea. Six hours later, after confirming no one was following him, he slipped into a river.
He used the Water Escape Art, traveling along the riverbed toward Golden Ao Mountain.
The Water Escape Art was a technique cultivated during the Qi Refining stage.
With his current Foundation Establishment cultivation, he could travel thirty li with a single use of the Water Escape Art, but it was far slower than flying on a sword.
However, some supreme escape arts were faster than flying on a sword.
For example, the Raging Flame Cloud-Soaring Escape Art contained within the Raging Flame Cloud-Soaring Talisman was thirty percent faster than an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator flying on a sword.
It could match the sword-flying speed of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
When Chen Jianghe approached Thousand Mountains Market City again, he reverted to his original appearance at the bottom of the river, switched to flying on Qi, and re-entered the market city.
He went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
He bought eighty mu of Immortal Crystal Rice seeds and had the cultivator from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion responsible for collecting the rice follow him to Golden Ao Mountain.
After returning to Golden Ao Mountain.
Everything was as he had expected. The Immortal Crystal Rice in the spirit fields had been properly processed, the translucent grains neatly gathered together.
Chen Jianghe used the storage pouch from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to collect all the Immortal Crystal Rice, then flew out of the mountain-protecting formation.
"In total, there are three hundred and four dan of Immortal Crystal Rice. Here are nine thousand one hundred and twenty spirit stones. Please accept them, Senior."
Chen Jianghe smiled and nodded.
After accepting the spirit stones, he turned and entered the mountain-protecting formation.
"The yield is three dan and eight dou per mu. Xiao Hei is truly capable. A scolding is just a scolding; we're brothers, after all. A few words won't make me lose any flesh."
Subtracting the four thousand eight hundred spirit stones spent on seeds, the profit from this season's Immortal Crystal Rice was four thousand three hundred and twenty spirit stones.
It was all thanks to Xiao Hei and Maoqiu's cooperation.
At this point, Xiao Hei could definitely be considered an advanced spirit farmer. Maoqiu, working under him, could also be rated as an advanced spirit farmer.
The number of spirit stones in Chen Jianghe's possession had now reached thirty-five thousand two hundred and sixteen.
He was successfully on his way to being well-off.
Back at the Spirit Spring Abode.
Chen Jianghe was immediately cornered by Xiao Hei.
"The rice was harvested a month ago. Where are the seeds? You're just wasting time," Xiao Hei complained.
"Look at you, so impatient."
"I was just thinking you were too tired and wanted you to get some rest."
Chen Jianghe said with a chuckle, then took out the eighty mu of Immortal Crystal Rice seeds.
Xiao Hei rolled his eyes at Chen Jianghe and grinned, but said nothing more.
He called for Maoqiu and led the mountain monkeys to plant the Immortal Crystal Rice.
Witnessing this, Chen Jianghe sighed internally. It was great to have such a sensible brother.
Of course, having a clever and obedient spirit pet made things even more perfect.
Xiao Hei and Maoqiu's teamwork was becoming more and more seamless.
He just wondered if they could cooperate as closely in battle.
Chen Jianghe watched the busy Xiao Hei and Maoqiu in the spirit fields with a gratified smile.
High intelligence is a wonderful thing.
"Hm? A letter from Daniu!"
Chen Jianghe's extended spiritual sense spotted two letters in the post box, both from Yu Daniu.
During the few months he was away from Golden Ao Mountain, he had actually received two letters from Yu Daniu.
Chen Jianghe immediately drew the letters into his hand.
He hadn't received a letter from Yu Daniu in over three years.
During those three years, he had sent two letters to Yu Daniu but had received no reply.
Although he had Chen Ping's updates on the situation at Qiyun Mountain, he was still a little worried about his brother.